Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Trail Blazers sign Harry Giles

The Portland Trail Blazers signed free agent forward/center Harry Giles today.

It is reportedly a one-year deal.

The 6-foot-11, 240 pound 22-year-old played for the Sacramento Kings in the 2019-20 season, and averaged 6.9 points (55.4% FG, 77.6% FT), 4.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 14.5 minutes in 46 games (17 starts). He scored in double figures 15 times during the season, including a game in August against the Orlando Magic where he produced 23 points and eight rebounds in 20 minutes.

In two NBA seasons, both with the Kings, Giles has a career average of 7.0 points (52.4% FG, 68.6% FT), 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 14.3 minutes in 104 games (17 starts).

Originally drafted out of Duke by the Trail Blazers with the 20th pick of the 2017 NBA Draft, Giles’ draft rights were included in a draft-night trade to the Kings for the draft rights to Zach Collins.

He will wear No. 10 for the Trail Blazers.

Trail Blazers sign second round draft pick CJ Elleby

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed rookie guard/forward CJ Elleby.

The Trail Blazers selected Elleby (6-6, 200) with the 46th overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft.

Elleby, 20, joins the Trail Blazers after spending two years at Washington State, where he averaged 16.6 points (41.3% FG, 36.7% 3-PT, 74.9% FT), 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.39 steals and 32.1 minutes in 64 games (60 starts). Elleby was the third-fastest player in Washington State history to score 1,000 career points and is the first player to be drafted from the school since 2011.

An All-Pac-12 First Team selection as a sophomore in 2019-20, Elleby averaged 18.4 points (39.6% FG, 33.9% 3-PT, 82.3% FT), 7.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.75 steals and 0.81 blocks during his second collegiate campaign. He ranked fourth in the Pac-12 in scoring, seventh in rebounding and first in steals while becoming the first player in Washington State history to lead the team in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocks in a single season.

Elleby will wear No. 16 for the Trail Blazers.

Wizards sign Raul Neto, and retain Garrison Mathews

The Washington Wizards have signed free agent guard Raul Neto and have retained guard Garrison Mathews as a two-way player.

Neto (6-0, 180 lbs.) has compiled career averages of 4.9 points, 1.9 assists and 1.3 rebounds on .446 shooting from the field in 253 games (75 starts) in his five-year career with Utah and Philadelphia.

“Raul’s experience both in the NBA and overseas will be valuable to our backcourt roster,” said Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard. “He approaches the backup point guard position with a combination of toughness and skill that will fit in with our style of play.”

During the 2019-20 season, Neto averaged 5.1 points and 1.9 assists per game in 54 games (three starts) with Philadelphia. Before signing with the 76ers, Neto spent his first four seasons in the NBA with the Utah Jazz (2015-19). The 28-year old averaged 4.8 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 14.2 minutes per game with Utah. As a rookie in 2015, he appeared in 81 games (53 starts) and averaged a career-high 5.9 points and 2.1 assists per game.

Neto was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round (47th overall pick) of the 2013 NBA Draft, and his rights were traded by the Hawks to the Jazz in a draft-night trade in exchange for a 2015 second round pick (from Brooklyn) on June 27, 2013. Prior to coming to the NBA, he played professionally in Brazil and Spain from 2008-15. During the 2014-15 season, he appeared in 34 games (23 starts) for Universidad Catolica De Murcia (UCAM) of the Liga ACP in Spain, averaging 8.9 points, 3.9 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 22.4 mpg.

A native of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Neto competed in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games as a member of the Brazilian National Team.

Mathews returns to the Wizards after spending last season as a two-way player (he was originally signed on June 21, 2019). He averaged 5.4 points and 1.3 rebounds while shooting .413 from three-point range in 18 games with the Wizards. Mathews’ best outing came in a 123-105 win over the Miami Heat on December 30 when he scored a career-high 28 points on 4-7 shooting from deep to go along with four rebounds. The Lipscomb product also played in 17 games with the Capital City Go-Go, averaging 11.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists.

“Garrison showed in flashes last season that he can contribute with his shooting range and hustle,” said Sheppard. “Maintaining his development within our system as a two-way player is the best way for him to continue his improvement and we look forward to having him back.”

Wizards sign Robin Lopez

The Washington Wizards have signed free agent center Robin Lopez.

“Improving our interior defense is a priority for us and Robin’s experience, presence and IQ will absolutely help us as we work toward achieving that goal,” said Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard. “He has been consistent throughout his career on both ends of the floor and will be a solid veteran addition with a style of play that complements our young frontcourt players.”

Lopez (7-1, 281) holds career averages of 8.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks while shooting .529 from the field in 832 career games (585 starts) over 12 NBA seasons with Phoenix, New Orleans, Portland, New York, Chicago, and Milwaukee. He averaged 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 60 games (five starts) for the Bucks during the 2019-20 season.

In three seasons with Chicago (2016-17), he averaged 10.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting .526 from the field. The 32-year-old veteran averaged a career-high 11.3 points on .534 shooting from the field in 82 games during the 2012-13 season with New Orleans Hornets. Lopez has averaged 8.5 points and 6.3 rebounds in 31 career playoff games with Phoenix, Portland, Chicago, and Milwaukee.

A native of North Hollywood, California, Lopez was selected with 15th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns. He played collegiately at Stanford with his twin brother, Brook, who currently plays for the Bucks.

Wizards re-sign forward Davis Bertans to big contract

The Washington Wizards have re-signed free agent forward Davis Bertans.

Per the Washington Post, it’s “a five-year deal worth $80 million”

“We have been adamant that our top offseason priority was to re-sign Davis, so we are thrilled to accomplish that goal and have him on board as part of the winning environment we’re continuing to build,” said Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard. “He is not only an elite shooter, he’s a great addition to our community and we saw last season how his ability to spread the floor, overall basketball IQ and competitive spirit make him an ideal fit for our style of play.”

Bertans averaged career-highs of 15.4 points and 4.5 rebounds in 54 games last season, shooting .424 (200-472) from three-point range. He ranked fourth in the NBA in three-pointers made and sixth in three-point percentage.

“My family and I are very proud to be a part of this first-class organization in a world-class city with great teammates, coaches and fan support,” said Bertans. “All of those factors led to my decision to re-sign with the Wizards, and now I’m looking forward to getting back on the court and back to work so we can keep improving as a team.”

More from the Post: “Bertans arrived in Washington from the San Antonio Spurs via a three-team trade in July 2019 and blossomed into an offensive sparkplug playing with the Wizards’ second unit. He took just 26 games to rack up 100 three-pointers, the fewest games to hit that mark in a season in franchise history. In early February ahead of the trade deadline, the team heard an abundance of offers for the sharpshooter around the same time he participated in the three-point contest during All-Star Weekend in Chicago.”

Bertans’ 15.4 points per game ranked sixth in the NBA in scoring off the bench. He also ranks fourth in NBA history with 187 three-pointers as a reserve and his 200 total three-pointers made ranks fifth-most in a single season in Wizards history. In addition, Bertans became the only player in NBA history to knock down eight or more threes off the bench in three or more games in a single season. He finished the season with 25 games of four or more 3-pointers off the bench, the third-highest total in a single season in NBA history. His 15 games of five or more 3-pointers off the bench are tied for the second-most in a single season in NBA history.

Bertans was originally acquired from San Antonio in a three-team deal with the Spurs and Nets on July 6, 2019, that sent the Wizards’ draft rights to forward Aaron White to Brooklyn with the Spurs acquiring DeMarre Carroll from the Nets.

Grizzlies re-sign Jontay Porter

The Memphis Grizzlies have re-signed forward/center Jontay Porter to a multi-year contract.

Per the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Porter “signed a three-year deal for $6 million.”

Originally signed with the Grizzlies on March 7, 2020 , Porter (6-10, 236) did not appear in a game last season while rehabbing a right ACL injury that sidelined him for his 2018-19 sophomore year at the University of Missouri.

As a freshman at Missouri, Porter was one of five Tigers to play all 33 games during the 2017-18 season and averaged 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.67 blocks in 24.5 minutes while shooting 43.7 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from 3-point range and 75.0 percent from the free throw line. A native of Columbia, Mo., the 21-year-old shared the 2017-18 Southeastern Conference Sixth Man of the Year award and was selected to the 2017-18 SEC All-Freshman Team.

Porter, the younger brother of Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., went undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Grizzlies re-sign De’Anthony Melton

The Memphis Grizzlies today announced that the team has re-signed guard De’Anthony Melton to a multi-year contract.

Per the Memphis Commercial Appeal, “a league source confirmed to The Commercial Appeal that Melton’s deal is worth $35 million over four years.”

Melton (6-2 ¼, 200) competed in 60 games (eight starts) last season, his second in the NBA, and averaged 7.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and a team-high 1.28 steals in 19.5 minutes for the Grizzlies, who acquired him from the Phoenix Suns via trade on July 7, 2019. Melton ranked 28th among NBA league leaders in steals per game and was the only player in the Top 30 to start fewer than 10 contests. In addition, the 22-year-old ranked third among qualifying NBA players in steals per 36 minutes (2.37) and sixth in the NBA in percentage of team’s steals (35.3).

The Grizzlies will return one of the team’s most impactful players from last season in terms of on-court net rating. Memphis outscored opponents by 5.1 points per 100 possessions with Melton on the court, the highest mark on the team among players with at least 15 appearances.

Selected by the Houston Rockets with the 46th overall pick in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft, Melton has appeared in 110 games (39 starts) over his two-year NBA career with the Suns and Grizzlies and holds career averages of 6.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.32 steals in 19.5 minutes. The North Hollywood, Calif., native also has appeared in eight NBA G League games, including two last season with the Memphis Hustle.

Trail Blazers sign Derrick Jones Jr., who played for Heat last season

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed free agent forward Derrick Jones Jr.

“Derrick’s elite athleticism, defensive versatility and ability to rebound on both ends of the floor enable him to make an immediate impact in multiple areas of need,” said Olshey.

Per multiple reports, Jones’ contract is for two years, $19 million.

According to the Oregonian, “the deal likely was made by using the Blazers’ mid-level exception, which starts at $9.258 million in the first year.”

Jones, 23, averaged 8.5 points (52.7% FG, 28.0% 3-PT, 77.2% FT), 3.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.98 steals and 23.3 minutes in 59 games (16 starts) for the Miami Heat during the 2019-20 season. He averaged career highs in points, assists, steals and minutes last season and ranked third on the Heat in deflections. Jones shot 67.7% on two-point field goal attempts in 2019-20, good for the ninth-highest in the NBA among players with at least 100 attempts.

For his career, Jones (6-6, 210) owns averages of 6.7 points (51.1% FG, 28.2% 3-PT, 69.0% FT), 3.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists 0.71 steals and 19.4 minutes in 171 games (46 starts) with Phoenix and Miami.

A four-year NBA veteran, Jones signed with Phoenix in 2016 after going undrafted out of UNLV in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Jones will wear No. 55 for the Trail Blazers.

Jazz trade Tony Bradley and Saben Lee’s draft rights to Pistons

The Utah Jazz have traded center Tony Bradley and the draft rights to Saben Lee to the Detroit Pistons. In return, the Jazz receive cash considerations.

Bradley will reportedly make around $3.5 million in salary for the 2020-21 NBA season.

Lee was the 38th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Bradley (6-10, 248, North Carolina) appeared in 70 games (three starts) over three seasons with Utah, owning averages of 4.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in 10.4 minutes per game.

Trail Blazers re-sign Rodney Hood

The Portland Trail Blazers have re-signed guard/forward Rodney Hood.

Per multiple reports, it’s a two-year, partially-guaranteed deal for $21 million.

“Rodney played a critical role in our run to the Western Conference Finals in 2018-19 and was off to a great start last year prior to his season being cut short due to injury,” said Olshey. “Now fully healthy we expect him to make an immediate impact and are pleased he chose to stay in Portland.”

Per the Oregonian, “Hood earlier this week reportedly declined the $6 million option on the final year of his contract. Given that he is coming off of an Achilles injury that ended his season last December, many speculated that Hood had an agreement in place with Portland to return on a more lucrative deal.”

Hood, 28, averaged 11.0 points (50.6% FG, 49.3% 3-PT, 77.8% FT), 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 29.5 minutes in 21 games (all starts) for the Trail Blazers last season before suffering a torn left Achilles tendon on Dec. 6, 2019. At the time of his injury, Hood ranked third in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage and was shooting career-best marks from the field and from the three-point line.

Originally acquired by the Trail Blazers in a trade with Cleveland on Feb. 4, 2019, Hood was a key figure in Portland’s run to the 2019 Western Conference Finals. He was Portland’s third-leading scorer against Denver in the Western Conference Semifinals, averaging 14.7 points per game while shooting 57.6% from the field and 50.0% from the three-point line during the seven-game series.

In six NBA seasons with Utah, Cleveland and Portland, Hood holds career averages of 12.5 points (42.6% FG, 37.2% 3-PT, 83.9%FT), 2.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 27.3 minutes.

Hood was originally selected by Utah with the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft out of Duke.